Frenzied Football

One would assume that the wealth of controversy in the realm of college football would have provided me with a plethora of blogspiration. So, you may be wondering, where has that sharp, insightful insight been? Honestly, it has all been a lot to process. The maxim of the day seems to be, "if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin." See also: looking out for #1. It's really kind of distressing to see the sport I love reduced to dollars and nonsense. But in spite of all this, the nearness of college football season brings a palpable excitement and I fully intend to enjoy every freakin' second of it. Let's go!

I'd like to first start by talking about the Big 12. Ok, what the hell. If you want to talk about a "lack of institutional control" (another trendy buzzphrase), this is one fine example. You've got one burnt orange mess of a network that is ticking off just about everyone by trying to flex its muscle, but ironically seems to have little actual power. I mean, getting to broadcast one whole game is super intimidating and all, but it's really not. Then there's that super j little brother, who thinks they are gonna show everyone by bolting to go get picked on by an even bigger, badder kid. Where does this all leave the rest of us if this inevitably comes to fruition? I honestly do not believe the Big 12 can survive the loss of Texas A&M, pains me though it does to say it. I don't care who we bring in, this league has shown its feeble leadership and total inability to negotiate and act as a power conference. I hope D.Bo and Joe Castig are being proactive rather than reactive in looking at other options (Pac 16 por favor). Although I've been a proponent of "do as the Texas does," the writing's on the wall and if everyone is going to buck all regional sensibilities, we have to position ourselves for success and not get left in the dust.

Speaking of those Big 12 "two percenters" (to use Aggiespeak), I am very perplexed by their posturing. At first I thought it was really like a sellout move for them to get a nice big paycheck, but then, as I spoke to more Aggies, I realized a couple of things: 1. They REALLY hate Texas. I thought we hated Texas, but no. We do not hold a candle to the firey abhorrence they have for the T-sips (I still don't get that term). 2. They truly believe they can win in that conference. True, their recruiting will get a big lift, but they have to go play the 'Bamas and the LSUs and the Floridas, etc., etc. How well did that work out in the Cotton Bowl? Not to mention, they keep failing to beat Arkansas. Houston Nutt, we have a problem.

Now a little follow-up business: Terelle Pryor. Yesterday this gentleman was taken in the supplemental draft by the Oakland Raiders. First of all, they WOULD! Secondly, I am so irritated that Goodell, "Mr. Enforcer," did not take this opportunity to send a message to collegiate football players by holding Pryor out of the draft. Suspending him for 5 games is as irrelevent as his original suspension. Allowing him to enter the league continues to promote the notion that regardless of how you behave in college, you can enter the pros and be rewarded with millions of dollars regardless. And it cheapens both leagues in the process. Really disappointing.

Speaking of the NFL, can we talk about the fact that the Broncos have like the worst trio of quarterbacks, like, pretty much ever? Ok, it's not really worth talking about but it is kind of funny. And Tim Tebow is all the way back at 3rd string...in the words of ET..."ouuuuuuuch".

Ok, one last word about controversial stuff and then I can start drinkin the kool-aid. Is anyone reallllly all that surprised about Miami's ethical scruples. They haven't been known as "thug-U" for the past 30-some odd years on a whim. I guess the lesson here is to take care of your seedy, back-alley financier, lest he turn in your program for decades of scandalous behavior?? Yoikes.

Sooooo...who is excited about Oklahoma All-Access airing tonight!?! Yeah...I'm pretty pumped. Hopefully all of this early attention, i.e. USA Today and AP preseason #1, will help us block out distractions later on down the road. It's a long season when you start out on top, and everyone is just waiting for you to get knocked out of that spot. I hope to see our boys primed, pumped, and prepared.

I'd like to give a "get well soon" note to Travis Lewis. I know he will still be a huge emotional leader for the team, but we sure could use him out there quarterbacking our D. Here's to a speedy recovery!

Has anyone else been watching the panel segments on ESPN about change in college football? I think Stoops has, as always, been a great representative for our university. I love that he truly wants to protect the game, even if he's not giving the popular or glamorous answer. Props!

Speaking of great representatives in the sports media, Landry and Broyles have been nothing short of amazing. Humble, even-keel, focused and determined, these boys have been very upstanding models in a clearly tumultuous college football landscape. Truly we are blessed to have them as leadership for our team. And to see how much Broyles has matured is impressive...a couple of years ago he had a very cocky, showy air to him that has now been replaced with a selfless and quiet confidence. I hope it pays dividends for him, a little bit selfishly on my end, of course. As Tony Jefferson says, "gotta get that Natty, hehe."

Well that was a little bit (a lot) all over the place, but I'll delve into more of the nitty gridiron soon. I'm super excited for season to get underway so we can talk about actual outcomes instead of hypotheticals.